Chain localization and interfacial thickness in microphase-separated structures of block copolymers with variable composition distributions

The effect of composition distribution on microphase-separated structures of AB diblock and BAB triblock copolymers was investigated at the molecular level by measurements of neutron reflectivity. Monodispersed three poly(styrene)-d ₈-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (DP) and three labeled triblock copolymers (PDP) and unlabeled counterparts were synthesized by a living anionic polymerization process designed to yield constant molecular weight with different volume fractions. The selective labeling method employs the blending of copolymers for a segmental distribution study while the labeled polymers are mixed for an interfacial study. Scattering length density profiles were observed by neutron reflectivity measurements for blended thin films produced by spin-coating and successive thermal annealing. It was confirmed that the blended thin films exhibit simple alternating lamellar structures, an observation consistent with the observed structures of bulk specimens. The localization phenomenon of longer and shorter block chains was also investigated. Longer block chains are generally localized at the center of the domains while the shorter block chains are localized near the domain interface as suggested by previous morphological observations. Interfacial thickness increases with an increase in composition distribution index for both diblock and triblock systems. The incremental increase for the triblock system is larger than that of the diblock system.